Substitutes

The Hillians travelled to North London hoping to put Saturday’s defeat to the impressive Leiston to one side as they faced Wingate and Finchley FC, who were one place above the Sussex team.

A finger injury to Josh James in Saturday’s defeat saw Max Huxter return in goal and Aaron Smith Joseph was also ruled out with a thigh injury. Dan Thompson and Leon Redwood returned to the starting lineup and Toby Pointing started in in midfield. Sam Fisk reverted back to centre-half and Will Miles played at right back.

The Hillians started well, and a Miles cross was met by a Thompson flick at the near post that the home keeper could only parry and Dan Pearse scored from close range in the 8th minute. Jack Brivio had a good chance to double the lead but his shot went wide of the far post. Hillians were punished for this miss when a free kick from the edge of the box eluded Huxter’s dive and nestled into the far corner. An injury to Brivio saw Guy Bolton introduced and for the rest of the half the away team played the better football.

H/T 1-1

The second half started with neither team threatening the goal. The home side scored a good goal from just inside the box after Richardson- Brown gave the ball away needlessly on the halfway line. Miles was replaced by Richmond, Medlock for Thompson and it was the latter who nearly forced an equaliser when his shot was saved by the relieved home keeper after ‘skidding off’ the wet playing surface. Huxter produced a good save in the final minutes and nearly found the goal himself when going up for a last minute corner but his header went over the bar.